[center][h1][b][color=9354FF]Fritz "Ryn" Hendrix[/color][/b][/h1][color=9354FF]Time:[/color] Sola 25, 1739; Daytime Hours
[color=9354FF]Location:[/color] Edwards Estate, Drake Edwards’ Birthday Party
[color=9354FF]Interaction(s)/Mention(s):[/color][@Lava Alckon][@princess][@Potter][@Rodiak][/center]
Ryn smiled sympathetically at Lord Edwards, the weariness already settled on the lord’s shoulders and the hint of anxiety flickered behind his eyes. The party had scarcely begun, yet the birthday boy already bore the weight of a thousand pleasantries.

[color=9354FF]“Lord Edwards, I thank you for your gracious welcome. But please, do not trouble yourself over me. I’ve already taken up more than my fair share of your attention.”[/color] Ryn gestured with a sweep of his hand towards the crowd. [color=9354FF]“Your admirers await.”[/color] He paused, then added gently, [color=9354FF]“Do remember to pace yourself, my friend. It would be a terrible shame if the man of the hour couldn’t enjoy his own party.”[/color]

With a final, cordial pat on Lord Edwards’ arm and a promise to speak again soon, Ryn released  the lord to attend to his other guests.

Ryn’s gaze wandered the expanse of the garden, a sea of color and movement, until it settled on a familiar silhouette.

Luz.

She was some distance away, engaged in conversation with Peter’s not-so-secret infatuation. A flutter of something unnamed stirred in his chest. Despite crossing paths here and there, they had not properly spoken since the morning incident a few days prior.

Drawn as if by an invisible thread, Ryn found himself gravitating towards her. Before he could close the distance, however, Shahzade Farim and Princess Anastasia reached the two ladies first. Ryn waited, giving the others a chance to exchange greetings before joining their circle. [color=9354FF]“Good morning, everyone.”[/color]

[color=9354FF]“Shahzade Farim,”[/color] Ryn intoned, bowing low in the traditional Alidasht style, [color=9354FF]“peace be upon you.”[/color]

Then, turning to Princess Anastasia with a grin, he exclaimed, [color=9354FF]“Annie!”[/color] In one fluid motion, he took her hand, bowed, and twirled her in an impromptu dance move. Their hands met in a playful clap at the end of the spin. [color=9354FF]“How’s the music practice coming along? Only a few more days until the concert! Exciting, isn’t it?”[/color]

To Miss Persephone, he offered a courteous bow, his lips kissed the air above her knuckles. [color=9354FF]“A pleasure to see you here, ‘Miss Olivia.’ Are you settling in alright?”[/color]

Finally, inevitably, Ryn’s attention fell on Luz. His hand rose of its own accord, paused—a heartbeat’s worth of uncertainty—before fingers brushed across the apple of her cheek with feather-light tenderness. [color=9354FF]“Hello, My Lady,”[/color] he said softly. Ryn’s lips formed silent words: [color=9354FF][i]Are you okay?[/i][/color]